San Gabriel Mountains Discussion Forum

bertfivesix · Ice Pirate Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 89

Got an nice late start to this overnighter to Harwood/Baldy (set out from the lifts ~ 1PM) along with Dustin.

The snow was hard and crusty thanks to recent weather, and the going was easy. The only sketchy part was where the trail traverses that little "minibowl" before you get to Harwood (an earlier pic for reference: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/bertfivesix/Misc/IMG_0453.jpg)...

There was much more snow, and it was loose as hell. No discernable trail, so we had to stomp one out on the way in.

Once past that point we ran into a lone snowshoer on his way back to the Notch, who inquired as to whether one of us had a satphone. Turns out, his buddy took a header down the east bowl, down that main draw that points directly to the summit of Harwood). He wasn't injured, but could not climb back up. While the slope looked quite doable for crampons/ice axes, these dudes were rocking rented snowshoes and one trekking pole apiece on their first time on that trail - I think they went Falls to Baldy to Backbone.

So it fell upon Dustin to head straight to Harwood to chase down a cell signal from the high desert to call 911, while I dropped down lower to check on the hiker, named Greg. I offered to run up and grab Dustin's ice axe and crampons for him, but he said he didn't think it'd help and he'd just wait for SAR.

Cut to an hour or so later, and the Sheriffs put a couple helicopters on Harwood. Chatted them up to fill them in, and they took off down the mountain to snag him off that slope (which was cool as hell - pics and vids to follow). Didn't get to see the rescue itself, as we were running out of daylight to make camp at the saddle.

The rest is pretty much normal - no winds at night, but it was ridiculously cold. Tagged the summit in the morning, then hightailed it back to the Notch.

BTW, if anybody knows Greg Morton, I picked up his trekking pole he lost on that little slip 'n slide.

pics to follow..

He219 · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject:

Nice job on the assist Bert, Dustin!
Glad there was a happy ending.
Very Happy

Was it this chute?

Looking forward to the pix ...

hvydrt · Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Posts: 198 Location: IE

Wow Bert, that must have been quite a sight! Hope he is alright.

TacoDelRio · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

Dayum!

Hope all is well. Awaiting footage. Cool

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bertfivesix · Ice Pirate Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 89

Video of the Sheriff's helicopter taking off from atop Harwood down to the stranded hiker. Didn't get a shot of the actual rescue, as we were trying to hustle over to the saddle with enough daylight to make camp.

EDIT: Fritz - yeah, that's the same one. The guy slid a couple hundred yards down, to the end of that rocky left-right ridge in the picture. I was able to climb down that ridge to within talking distance, but I guess he was too shaken from the fall and subsequent failed attempts to walk back up that he decided not to try anymore.

TacoDelRio · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject:

Harumph.

Hope you guys had a good time and yelled ICE PIRATES enough.
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He219 · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject:

Interesting.
I assumed the rescue guys would have first sent a man down to steady the victim from the helo's downdraft.
Instead it looks like they just hovered over him and hoisted him in.

Thanks for the video Bert!
Smile

bertfivesix · Ice Pirate Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 89

Some pics:

Home sweet home - dipped into the teens during the night, with no wind.

Current Bowl condition.

Summit shot, of course. Light wind from the south.

USA! USA! USA!

TacoDelRio · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

BEST.
PHOTO.
EVER.
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He219 · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

Bert FTW!!
Very Happy